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Tuning & pitch

DADGAD

What is DADGAD? A clear definition from the tuning & pitch section of our glossary, with 12 related terms, tools to try and further reading.

Definition of DADGAD

D A D G A D, or Celtic tuning, is an alternative guitar tuning most associated with Celtic music, though it has also found use in rock, folk, metal and several other genres. Instead of the standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) the six guitar strings are tuned, from low to high, D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4.

Tuning to D A D G A D from standard is accomplished by tuning the first, second, and sixth strings down a whole tone (two frets). The result is an open D, suspended fourth chord. Being suspended, the open tuning is neither intrinsically major nor minor.

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What is DADGAD?

D A D G A D, or Celtic tuning, is an alternative guitar tuning most associated with Celtic music, though it has also found use in rock, folk, metal and several other genres.

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